In the ever-evolving landscape of Major League Baseball (MLB), the 2026 season promises to be a spectacle of talent, strategy, and anticipation. As we gear up for the upcoming season, it's time to delve into the heart of the matter: who will emerge as the award winners in each division? The MLB is a microcosm of human ambition, where players strive for immortality through either a World Series victory or the prestigious awards that adorn their names. Today, we embark on a journey to uncover the potential award winners, focusing on the four major Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) Awards: MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year, and Manager of the Year. But before we dive in, let's set the stage with a personal reflection on the significance of these awards and the players who dare to dream of them.
In my opinion, the MLB awards are more than just accolades; they are markers of excellence and the culmination of years of dedication and hard work. The MVP award, in particular, is the pinnacle of achievement, representing the player who has not only excelled in their role but has also contributed significantly to their team's success. The Cy Young award, on the other hand, is a testament to the pitcher's artistry, recognizing the player who has demonstrated exceptional skill and consistency on the mound. The Rookie of the Year award celebrates the fresh talent that has burst onto the scene, while the Manager of the Year award acknowledges the strategic brilliance behind the scenes.
Now, let's explore the potential award winners in each division, keeping in mind the rule that no more than one candidate per team will be considered. Let's start with the American League (AL) East, where the Yankees and Giants will open the season on March 25.
AL East
MVP: Aaron Judge
Aaron Judge, the towering presence in the Yankees lineup, is the obvious choice for MVP in the AL East. His size and age have not deterred him from consistently delivering exceptional performances, playing 148 or more games in four of the last five seasons. However, the question remains: how long will his injury luck hold out? At 34 years old, Judge's health will be a critical factor in determining his MVP candidacy. If he remains injury-free, he will undoubtedly be the favorite for the award.
Cy Young: Garrett Crochet
Garrett Crochet, the Red Sox pitcher, is a strong contender for the Cy Young award. Having finished second last year and leading the AL in both innings pitched and strikeouts, Crochet has every incentive to have another outstanding season. With the two-time defending AL Cy Young winner, Tarik Skubal, a pending free agent, Crochet may well surpass him in 2026, making him a formidable candidate for the award.
Rookie of the Year: Trey Yesavage
Trey Yesavage, the Blue Jays rookie, is a classic example of the Randy Arozarena School of Postseason Heroics. Having thrown 13 2/3 more innings in the 2025 postseason than in the regular season, Yesavage had a 3.58 ERA in his 27 2/3 postseason innings and a 3.21 ERA in his 14 regular-season innings. If he maintains this form, he will undoubtedly cruise to the Rookie of the Year award.
Manager of the Year: Craig Albernaz
Craig Albernaz, the new Orioles skipper, has the perfect recipe for winning the Manager of the Year award. Taking over a team that has disappointed for two straight seasons, Albernaz has the incentive to turn things around. With a talented roster at his disposal, he may not deserve all the credit if the Orioles win the division, but he will undoubtedly be in the spotlight.
AL Central
MVP: José Ramírez
José Ramírez, the Guardians star, is a strong contender for the MVP award. With a stability that comes with a long-term contract, Ramírez has the potential to etch his name in baseball history. Having finished in the top 10 eight times, including third last year, he is a consistent performer who has yet to win the elusive MVP award. However, with his numbers and stability, he is a strong candidate for the award.
Cy Young: Tarik Skubal
Tarik Skubal, the Tigers pitcher, is a strong contender for the Cy Young award. Having won three straight Cy Young Awards, Skubal has the potential to continue his dominance in 2026. With a strong incentive to perform well, he is a formidable candidate for the award.
Rookie of the Year: Carter Jensen
Carter Jensen, the Royals rookie, is a plucky pick for the Rookie of the Year award. Having debuted last year not long after turning 22, Jensen posted a .941 OPS in 20 games. With his presence in the lineup, he has the potential to transform the Royals offense.
Manager of the Year: Derek Shelton
Derek Shelton, the Twins manager, is a surprise choice for the Manager of the Year award. Having never had a winning season in six seasons managing the Pirates, Shelton has the challenge of turning around the Twins. However, with a non-zero chance of winning the division, he has the potential to make a significant impact.
AL West
MVP: Julio Rodríguez
Julio Rodríguez, the Mariners star, is the third year in a row that I have picked him for the MVP award. With his superstar status and consistent performances, he is a strong candidate for the award. However, with his second-place finish on his own team last year, he has the potential to take his game to the next level.
Cy Young: Jacob deGrom
Jacob deGrom, the Rangers pitcher, is a strong contender for the Cy Young award. With his health, he is a formidable candidate for the award. However, with the question marks surrounding his health, he will need to stay injury-free to have a chance at the award.
Rookie of the Year: Tatsuya Imai
Tatsuya Imai, the Astros rookie, is a strong contender for the Rookie of the Year award. Having been landed by the Astros this offseason, Imai has the potential to be the key to their rotation and any hopes they have this year. With his legit stuff, he has the potential to be the latest pitcher to have immediate success in the MLB.
Manager of the Year: Mark Kotsay
Mark Kotsay, the A's manager, is a strong contender for the Manager of the Year award. With his deep respect throughout baseball and his ability to weather challenges, he has the potential to lead the A's to a surprise playoff run.
NL East
MVP: Juan Soto
Juan Soto, the Mets star, is a strong contender for the MVP award. With his prime years ahead of him, he has the potential to have a full-on peak season. However, with his young age, he has the time to work towards the award.
Cy Young: Chris Sale
Chris Sale, the Braves pitcher, is a strong contender for the Cy Young award. With his inspiring comeback, he has the potential to give himself a Cooperstown case. However, with the Phillies' Cristopher Sanchez as a logical possibility, Sale will need to perform well to have a chance at the award.
Rookie of the Year: Justin Crawford
Justin Crawford, the Phillies rookie, is a plucky pick for the Rookie of the Year award. With his game-changing speed, he has the potential to be the young center fielder the Phillies have needed for quite some time.
Manager of the Year: Clayton McCullough
Clayton McCullough, the Marlins manager, is a strong contender for the Manager of the Year award. With the potential to make the NL East a four-team race, McCullough has the potential to make a significant impact.
NL Central
MVP: Elly De La Cruz
Elly De La Cruz, the Reds star, is a strong contender for the MVP award. With his physical gifts, he has the potential to wreck the competition when all his talents come together for a whole season. However, with the question marks surrounding his consistency, he will need to perform well to have a chance at the award.
Cy Young: Paul Skenes
Paul Skenes, the Pirates pitcher, is a strong contender for the Cy Young award. With his career ERA under 2.00 and his ability to keep getting better every year, he is a formidable candidate for the award.
Rookie of the Year: JJ Wetherholt
JJ Wetherholt, the Cardinals rookie, is a strong contender for the Rookie of the Year award. With his potential to make his MLB debut as the leadoff man on Opening Day, he has the potential to play a central role in the Cardinals' future.
Manager of the Year: Craig Counsell
Craig Counsell, the Cubs manager, is a strong contender for the Manager of the Year award. With the Cubs as the clear favorite in the division, he has the potential to lead them to victory. However, with the question marks surrounding their consistency, he will need to perform well to have a chance at the award.
NL West
MVP: Shohei Ohtani
Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers star, is a strong contender for the MVP award. With his potential to be the first player to win the MVP award in both the American and National Leagues, he has the potential to make history. However, with the question marks surrounding his health, he will need to stay injury-free to have a chance at the award.
Cy Young: Logan Webb
Logan Webb, the Giants pitcher, is a strong contender for the Cy Young award. With his consistent performances and his potential to finally get recognized, he has the potential to carve himself a clear path to the award.
Rookie of the Year: Charlie Condon
Charlie Condon, the Rockies rookie, is a strong contender for the Rookie of the Year award. With his potential to be the first baseman the Rockies need, he has the potential to make a significant impact.
Manager of the Year: Torey Lovullo
Torey Lovullo, the Diamondbacks manager, is a strong contender for the Manager of the Year award. With his winningest record in Diamondbacks history, he has the potential to lead them to the playoffs and make a strong case for the award.
In conclusion, the 2026 MLB season promises to be a spectacle of talent, strategy, and anticipation. With the potential award winners in each division, the stage is set for a season of excitement and drama. As we gear up for the upcoming season, let's embrace the excitement and anticipation, knowing that the MLB is a microcosm of human ambition and the pursuit of excellence.
